Comcast no longer following net neutrality principles.

Comcast should apply caps equally, or not at all.

I spent the weekend enjoying four good internet video apps on my Xbox: Netflix, HBO GO, Xfinity, and Hulu.

When I watch video on my Xbox from three of these four apps, it counts against my Comcast internet cap. When I watch through Comcast’s Xfinity app, however, it does not count against my Comcast internet cap.

For example, if I watch last night’s SNL episode on my Xbox through the Hulu app, it eats up about one gigabyte of my cap, but if I watch that same episode through the Xfinity Xbox app, it doesn’t use up my cap at all.

The same device, the same IP address, the same wifi, the same internet connection, but totally different cap treatment.

In what way is this neutral?

Net neutrality is a principle that advocates no restrictions by ISPs or governments on consumers’ access to networks that participate in the Internet.

Verizon’s Advanced Wireless Service spectrum is currently unused, but the company is targeting the spectrum for the next phase of LTE deployment. Verizon will be able to build another LTE network parallel to its current 4G network at 700MHz.

Verizon will still have to receive regulatory approval for this deal to take place. AT&T has been unable to receive approval for its proposed acquisition of T-Mobile. However the FCC is close to approving AT&T’s acquisition of Qualcomm’s 700MHz spectrum so it is likely that they will approve of a similar deal for Verizon.

This deal could strain the relationship that the three cable companies have with Clearwire. Comcast, Time Warner, and Bright House are major investors in Clearwire and they have already started reselling their broadband service on a limited basis in their territories.

[GigaOm]

Comcast is launching a program called Internet Essentials to provide “low-cost access to the Internet and affordable computers as well as digital literacy training to families with children who are eligible to receive free lunches under the National School Lunch Program.” Mashable reports that the $9.95 a month plan will be available to families that live in a Comcast-covered area, have at least one child with free lunches via the National School Lunch Program, haven’t had a Comcast subscription in the last 90 days and don’t have unreturned Comcast equipment or an overdue Comcast bill.

Customers who enroll in the Internet Essentials plan have access to purchase a Wi-Fi connected netbook running Windows 7 for about $150. The program will accept customers for “three full school years,” a plan that should bring internet connectivity to many low-income families who would otherwise not be able to afford the luxury.

Previously, the final action against pirates was a termination of service; under the proposed plan, termination of service is no longer required. The new graduated response plan for ISPs allows handling of piracy on a case-by-case basis, but requires serious action for the worst offenders. The plan makes copyright enforcement a main duty of ISPs.

The agreement is not yet signed, but it is rumored that the agreement will be publicly revealed next month. If the deal is made, the new plan will mark the first time major bandwidth providers openly adopt a graduated response program against illegal file sharing.

COMCAST AND SKYPE ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO BRING A NEW HD VIDEO CALLING EXPERIENCE TO THE TELEVISION
Partnership Will Enable Comcast Customers To Bring Family And Friends Together
Via Clear, Widescreen Skype Video Calls Using Their Existing HD Television and Broadband Connection

PHILADELPHIA and LUXEMBOURG – June 14, 2011 – Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) and Skype today announced that the companies have entered into a strategic partnership that will enable Comcast customers to communicate with family and friends through HD video calling on their television. They will soon be able to make and receive Skype video calls from their television, whether their friends and family use Skype on their home TVs, PCs, compatible smartphones or tablets.

Through this arrangement, Comcast customers will be able to experience widescreen HD video calling that is immersive and natural. With Skype, they can share in the excitement of a big game, a birthday party or holiday, a bedtime story, or a casual conversation with loved ones, and have the ability to communicate with hundreds of millions of Skype users across the globe. As real-time video communication becomes a more integral part of the way people connect, Skype and Comcast will bring a simple, affordable, high-quality video calling experience to millions of homes.

“Our unique relationship with Skype not only will change how our customers interact with their TV, but also will create new and meaningful ways to bring our customers closer to the people they care about,” said Neil Smit, President, Comcast Cable. “TV has evolved into a social experience, and Comcast and Skype will be delivering a product that personalizes the TV experience even more, and brings friends and family together through the biggest screen in their homes.”

Tony Bates, CEO, Skype, said, “We are pleased to announce this partnership with Comcast. By combining Comcast’s broad living room reach with Skype’s innovative communications platform and worldwide community of users, we can bring video calling into the heart of the home allowing people to share life’s experiences both big and small.”

Here are a few things customers will be able to do through this offering:
• Make and receive Skype video and audio calls, or send instant messages via Skype on a television while watching their favorite TV show at the same time, and accept incoming calls during a TV show with the help of Caller ID.
• Make and receive video and audio calls, or send instant messages via Skype on a compatible mobile phone or tablet.
• Import friends to their address book from their Facebook, Outlook, Gmail and smartphone contact lists, find them on Skype and see when contacts are online and available to talk.

This service will be delivered on the Comcast customer’s HDTV through an adaptor box, a high-quality video camera, and a specially designed remote control that enables customers to text on Skype as well as control their television. The other calling party does not need any special equipment beyond what is needed to use Skype.

In addition, customers will be able to access mobile features conveniently through Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile app, and continue to enjoy conversations by switching from one compatible device (e.g., smartphone, tablet or television) to another.

Customer trials for this offering will begin in the coming months, and further product details will be made available later this year.

About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation’s leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services. Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers. Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.

About Skype
Skype is software that enables the world’s conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Every day, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.

[Skype Blog]

““OMG! @FCC Commissioner Baker voted 2 approve Comcast/NBC merger & is now lving FCC for A JOB AT COMCAST?!?” wrote a Reel Grrls employee on TWitter. The Comcast executive that is in charge of sponsoring Reel Grrls read the tweet and did not approve. Comcast VP Steve Kill wrote to Reel Grrls in an e-mail that they would not contribute the $18,000 they promised for the camp.

“I am frankly shocked that your organization is slamming us on Twitter,” said Kipp. The tweet “has put me in an indefensible position with my bosses. I cannot continue to ask them to approve funding for Reel Grrls, knowing that the digital footprint your organization has created about Comcast is a negative one.”

This isn’t the first time that Reel Grrls negatively wrote about Comcast on Twitter. In the past Reel Grrls also wrote a tweet that was critical of Comcast’s deal with NBC getting approved. After receiving inquiries from the media, Comcast spokeswoman Sena Fitzmaurice said that Reel Grrls would receive the funding and that Kipp was not authorized to pull the sponsorship.

Reel Grrls executive director Malory Graham said that she likes that Comcast apologized, but is not sure whether they will accept the funds. Reel Grrls wants to continue their partnership with Comcast, but without having to be censored about their ideas.

[Washington Post]